Warren’s Surgery a Success, Jobe Says

Mike Warren, former Fullerton High School pitching star, underwent successful reconstructive surgery on his right elbow Thursday morning in Centinela Hospital at Inglewood, Dr. Frank Jobe said.

Jobe transferred a tendon from Warren’s left ankle to his pitching elbow in an operation similar to one he performed on Tommy John, then of the Dodgers, in 1974.

“It went very well,” Jobe said. “I think the chances of Mike resuming his pitching career are good. We’ve had good success with this procedure and Mike had no complications.”

Jobe said Warren would be able to start throwing in about eight months and could pitch for extended periods in about a year.

“I’m going to miss the whole season, so my goal right now is to try and play winter ball next year,” said Warren, who graduated from Fullerton in 1979. “The operation seems to have gone pretty good. I don’t have much pain at all.”

Warren, 25, was 5-1 for Omaha, the Kansas City Royals’ Triple-A affiliate in the American Assn., when he was sidelined in May. He underwent less extensive elbow surgery last July, but pain returned almost immediately after doctors allowed him to start throwing.

Warren, a free agent, was with the Oakland A’s organization from 1983-85. He pitched a no-hitter for the A’s against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 29, 1983 in only his ninth major league start.

In 1978, Warren helped lead Fullerton to the Southern Section 3-A championship.